Objective To investigate the involvement of estrogen receptor(ER)? in the proliferation of ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma by restoring ER? expression in a cell line ES-2.Methods A plasmid with full length ER? cDNA,pRSV-ER? and its negative vector control pRSV were introduced into ES-2.The cells transfected were named according to the plasmids:ES-pRSV,ES-pRSV-ER?.RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of ER? in ES-2,ES-pRSV and ES-pRSV-ER? cells.The growth activities of cells in vitro were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay,and in vivo growth in nude mice was also observed.Flow cytometry was performed to show the change of cell cycles. Results The ES-pRSV-ER? cells were identified with ER? mRNA and protein expression.The growth activities of ES-pRSV-ER? were inhibited in vitro.In MTT analysis,the values of ES-2,ES-pRSV,and ES- pRSV-ER? cells were 0.78?0.05,0.81?0.06,and 0.53?0.07(the third was lower compared with the former two,P

AIMTo observe the effect of LPC on the pacemaker current I(f) in ischemic myocardium and if the effect could be reversed by ISO.

METHODSBy using two microelectrode voltage clamp technique to measure and compare the amplitude of I(f) of ischemic myocardium in the presence of LPC and LPC add ISO.

RESULTSIschemia decreased the amplitude of I(f) at all membrane potential levels. Adding LPC 2 x 10(-5) mol/L to the ischemia-like solution, the amplitude of I(f) decreased further (n = 5, P < 0.05), it means that LPC aggravated the inhibitory effect of "ischemia" on the pacemaker activity. Adding LPC 2 x 10(-5) mol/L and ISO 1 x 10(-6) mol/L together to the ischemia-like solution, the amplitude of I(f) increased significantly at membrane potential -90 mV to - 120 mV (n = 8, P < 0.05) compared with ischemia condition, but still did not reach the levels before ischemia.

CONCLUSIONIn acute myocardial ischemia condition, toxic metabolite LPC accentuated its inhibitory effect on pacemaker current I(f), a local release and accumulation of catecholamine could not completely reverse their inhibitory effect.

Animals ; Isoproterenol ; metabolism ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; pharmacology ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Microelectrodes ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Sheep

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) on the proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells.

METHODSTwo human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and ES-2 were analysed for the expression of GSK-3beta and phosphorylated GSK-3beta (pGSK-3beta) by Western blot analysis. Cell growth curve analysis done by cell count was used to investigate the effect of GSK-3beta inhibitors on the growth of SKOV3 and ES-2 cells. Four plasmids, namely, GSK-3betaS9A, GID5-6, GID5-6LP and the control vector, were cotransfected respectively with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) into SKOV3 cells by electroporation, and then BrdU incorporation assay was adopted to analyse the role of GSK-3beta activity in the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. After transfection, G418 was added to the medium to select those stably transfected cells, which were used to investigate the long term effect of GSK-3beta activity change on the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells by colony formation assay.

RESULTSBoth SKOV3 and ES-2 cells expressed GSK-3beta, though the expression level of pGSK-3beta was lower in SKOV3 than in ES-2 cells. GSK-3beta inhibitors attenuated the growth of SKOV3 and ES-2 cells. Transfection with GSK-3betaS9A to upregulate the GSK-3beta activity resulted in the increase of BrdU incorporation in SKOV3 cells compared with that in the control vector. On the contrary, transfection with GID5-6 to downregulate GSK-3beta activity decreased the BrdU incorporation in SKOV3 cells, compared with that in GID5-6LP, which is a control vector of GID5-6. Stable transfection with GSK-3betaS9A increased the colony number while stable transfection with GID5-6 decreased the colony number, compared with each control vector.

CONCLUSIONGSK-3beta can promote the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of GSK-3 p may become a potential theraputic

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Lithium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Maleimides ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Serine ; genetics ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Transfection ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the association between interleukin-I(IL-1)loci polymorphisms and increased risk of gastric carcinoma in samples from northern Chinese population.Methods Blood sam- ples from 126 patients with gastric cancer and 125 controls with chronic gastritis were collected.Genomic DNA was extracted and polymorphisms at -31(C to T),-511(C to T)and at intron 2(86-bp VNTR)of IL-I RN were genotyped by PCR-CTPP,PCR-RFLP and PCR.For detection of Hp infection fast urenase test,~(14)C breath test and serum anti-Hp IgG antibody assay were used.Results Five kinds of polymorphism of IL-IRN were found as 1/1,1/3,1/4,1/2 and 2/2,and the frequencies in patients were 76.19%、4.76%、6.35%、11.90% and 0.79%,respectively.However,the frequencies in controls were 76.00%、4.00%、4.80%、13.60% and 1.60%.No significant differences were observed between cases and controls in each genotype.The polymorphism of IL-IB-31 allele was C/C,C/T and T/T.The frequencies in patients were 12.70% ,47.62% and 39.68%,and in controls 28.00%,48.80% and 23.20% respectively.IL-1B- 31 T/T carriers were at an increase risk of gastric cancer with an odds ratio of 3.772(95% CI,1.786- 7.966).IL-IB-511 alleles were C/C,C/T and T/T.The frequencies in patients were 19.20%,56.80% and 24.00% and in controls,23.38%,49.19% and 27.42% respectively.No significant differences were observed between cases and controls in each genotype.Conclusion In Chinese population,the polymor- phism of IL-1B-31 alleles may be associated with the susceptibility of gastric cancer.However,no evidence was found to support that the polymorphisms of IL-1RN and IL-I B-511 alleles had relationship with gastric cancer.

Objective To study the expression of intermediate-conductance-Ca~(2+)-activated K~+ (IKCa1)channels in endometrial cancer and its role in regulating proliferation of endometrial cancer cells. Methods Western blot and RT-PCR were used to examine the expression of IKCa1 channels in 13 normal endometrial specimens and 25 endometrial cancer specimens;and RNA interference(RNAi),[ ~3H ] thymidine incorporation,and inhibitor of IKCa1 channel were used to explore the role of IKCa1 channels in regulation of proliferation of endometrial cancer cells HEC-1A.Results The expression rate and level of IKCa1 mRNA in endometrial carcinoma(84%,0.89?0.52)were higher than in normal endometria(8%, 0.14?0.12;P

OBJECTIVE: To compare the symptoms and lower airway inflammatory factors of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and to observe the effect of nasal irrigation in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Sixty-one cases diagnosed as AR after skin prick test (SPT)were selected and randomly divided into three groups: 17 patients in group A used nasal steroid spray; 21 cases in group B used nasal irrigation; 23 patients in group C combined ir rigation with nasal steroid. Before and after 3 months treatment, nasal visual analogue scale (VAS) score, rhino conjunctivtis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) values were observed and compared in each group. RESULT: Before treatment, there is no statistically difference between three groups (P > 0.05). After 3 months of treatment, VAS, RQLQ, FENO of all patients was significantly decreased (P < 0.05); VAS, RQLQ score was not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05), FENO value has no statistically significant difference between group A and group B (P > 0.05), but were less than that in group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Nasal irrigation can ameliorate nasal symptoms, improve quality of life, decrease lower airway inflammation of allergic rhinitis patients. Nasal irrigation is an effective treatment of allergic rhinitis. Nasal irrigation combined with nasal steroid can achieve more significant efficacy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Lavage ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical features and prognostic factors of malignant ovarian teratoma.

METHODSEighty-four patients with malignant ovarian teratoma between 1954 and 2001 were studied retrospectively. All patients were treated with surgery, the mid-period of follow-up was 146 months. Patient characteristics, surgical therapy, pathologic diagnosis, histological grade, and follow-up data were extracted and survival curves were depicted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 10.0.

RESULTSThe average age was (33.5 +/- 16.1) years. Abdominal pain and abdominal extension were the main complaint. Thirty-seven women were diagnosed with malignant transformation of ovarian teratoma while 47 were of ovarian immature teratoma. Clinical stage was the only prognostic factor with significantly statistical differentiation. Five-year survival rate of malignant ovarian teratoma with stage I, II, III, and IV were (87.20 +/- 4.52)%, (50.00 +/- 35.36)%, (30.55 +/- 9.43)%, and 0.00%, respectively (P = 0.00). Five-year survival rate of ovarian immature teratoma with histological grade I, II, and III were (90.48 +/- 6.41)%, (68.75 +/- 11.59)%, and (57.14 +/- 16.38)%, respectively (P = 0.08). Among 31 women died of malignant ovarian teratoma, 27 (87.1%) died within 2 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONThis retrospective study suggests that malignant transformation of ovarian teratoma is clinically different from ovarian immature teratoma. Complete staging surgery or Debulking surgery followed by 4-6 courses adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, vincristine, and bleomycin are the principle treatment. Conservative surgery may well improve the life quality of younger patients. All patients should be closely followed up for at least 2 years.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Child ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Ovariectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Teratoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of Panax japonics (PJ) on alcohol-induced gastric lesion in mice and the possible mechanisms.

METHODMale ICR mice were randomized into six groups: normal, control, PJ (1.5, 3.0, 6.0 g x kg(-1)) and Yinduoan (1.5 g x kg(-1)). The mice were pretreated with PJ before administering ethanol to observe the effect on the concentration of ethanol in serum and urine. The contents of MDA, GSH and GSH-PX, CAT and SOD activities were measured in serum and gastric mucosa, and subsequently, the pathological evaluation of stomach was also observed.

RESULTThe concentration of ethanol in serum was evidently decreased after PJ (1.5, 3.0 g x kg(-1)) was administrated because the ethanol was eliminated fleetly through urine. Synchronously the PJ reduced the content of MDA and increased the GSH increased in serum and gastric, besides, it increased the enzymatic activities of GSHPX, CAT and SOD, and the ethanol-induced gastric mitochondria structure injury were ameliorated so as to make the function to normal.

CONCLUSIONBased on these observations, one could conclude that the PJ is a potent protective agent against ethanol-induced gastric damages. One mechanism may be related with inhibiting the absorbability of ethanol at gastrointestinal tract, decreasing the concentration of ethanol in serum, and accelerating the ethanol elimination through urine so as to alleviate the ethanol-induced damage to gastrointestinal mucosal, enhancing the first-pass metabolism in stomach, and particularly increasing the antioxidant levels in serum and gastric. These gastroprotective effects might be, at least partly, through ameliorating the gastric mitochondria structure.

Animals ; Catalase ; blood ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ethanol ; Gastric Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glutathione ; blood ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Panax ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Stomach Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the clinical features,diagnostic modalities and treatment of duodenal Brunner′gland adenoma(BGA).Methods Fifteen patients with duodenal BGA were evaluated base on clinical presentations,the results of serologic test,barium meal examination,gastroscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)as well as treatment.The post-operative histological results were compared with pre-operation EUS findings.Results Eight out of 15 patients with duodenal BGA had presentations,including duodenal ulcer(4 patients),upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (4 patients). The serologic tests of all patients were within the normal limits.Six patients underwent barium meal examination and 13 patients received gastroscopy.Seven patients underwent surgical treatment and 8 patients received endoscopic resection.The post-operative histological results were compatible with the pre-operative EUS findings.Conclusions Duodenal BGA is a benign tumor.EUS was helpful in making the diagnosis and determination of treatment methods(surgical operation or endoscopic resection).

Objective To study the clinical feature,treatment,and prognosis of the cytomegalovirus (CMV)pneumonia patients treated with immunosuppressor against kidney disease.Mlethod The patients received immunosuppressor against kidney disease in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 1999 to December 2006.CMV antigen of leucocyte in the peripheral blood and/or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of these patients were detected with immunocytochemical methods,and 21 patients were found suffering from CMV pneumonia.The 21 patients were introvenously injected with ganciclovir 5～10 mg/(kg?d),and the immunosuppressive agent treatment suspended.Their clinical feature and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results The 21 patients received corticosteroids before CMV pneumonia contracted,of them,13 patients had been intensively treated with Methyllprednisolone with mean total dose(3.2?0.6)g.Of them,15 had been treated with cyclophosphamide with mean total dose(3.8?1.3)g.The median time from the beginning of using immunosuppressor to the onset of CMV pneumonia was 25(13～92)days.All patients had fever,cough, shortness of breath and X-ray showed interstitial pneumonia,of them,19 patients developed hypoxemia,and 11 patients' CMV antigen was positive in the leucocyte from bronchial lavage fluid.The result showed 9 patients survived and 12 died.The average duration of treatment with ganciclovir was(26.2?6.3)days. CMV pneumonia is a serious complication in patients who were treated with immunosuppressor against kidney disease.The mortality is high.Ganciclovir is a medicine of choice to treat CMV pneumonia.